Wordless Wednesday ~ Now you see him . . .

. . . now you don't!



Happy 4th, only 2 weeks late! :c)

Trail Mix in July - Summer is 1/2 over!

Brad and Chel and the girls are home for a week! Woo-hooooo! I get to see them, hopefully tomorrow, and then again Thursday. Neil and Noah haven't seen them for 9 months, so it's exciting.

Back a couple weeks ago, my friends, Matt and Lisa, visited on their way to North Dakota from Virgina. You can read about how I met Lisa here, along with zillions of pictures from her visit, but here's a sneak peek until you make it over there:



This is one of my faves, I think because it reminds me of a vintage photograph.

Something fun. Heather caught me working, again, at a wedding. It's fun to see what I look like through other peoples' eyes. Like hers. I'm glad I don't look too dork-ish. (Sometimes I very much feel that way.)



In that photo I'm setting up a shot, which ended up like this:



And this:



We were going to a lot of t-ball games. That is over now. But at the last game, Maia decided she wanted to meet a new friend. I don't think they ever carried on a conversation, but they played together so well. It was so cute. Maia is in total awe of bigger girls. I have the scene planted in my mind forever. What I love about this is that it signifies the best kind of friendships . . .those where you don't have to work at it . . .where you are completely comfortable with each other even when you have nothing to talk about :)



And Noah at a game:



He was so precious out there. I love the innocence and how playing sports hasn't become competitive yet. They're so sweet when they are just being children and having a blast doing so.

I have tons of these little (nasty) guys in my garden. Do you?



We also had swimming lessons for 2 weeks. Both kids participated. It took a while for Noah, but Maia wanted to join right away. (I originally didn't have her signed up.) I'm not sure how much they learned, but at least they're getting accustomed to the water. And, they can blow bubbles, so in a their mind, that is totally worth the 2 weeks of mom paying for lessons!


I have had my 5th picture make it to "explore" on flickr. What is "explore"? Well, flickr defines it as this: "a way to show you some of the most awesome content on Flickr". Pretty cool! The flickr people go through millions of pictures and pick out what they believe are the best ranked on several things. I know some people who have had dozens. I'm happy with my 5. :)



I have been super-duper busy. I finished up my last album last night (Chris, I know you read this blog . . . super good news for you! It should be in about a week or two!), I got my last wedding all proofed and online (over 800 pictures, oh my), I had a session last night, I have another one tonight, Tuesday night and Wednesday night. Oh my goodness gracious! I actually feel okay about how busy I am. There's been times I've been super overwhelmed, but I'm not experiencing that feeling anymore. I think I'm grasping my work "flow" now. Finally. It's taken 7 years. But, come Wednesday night, I may change my mind on that one.

So if you see someone with a camera up to their face, with long brown hair and you think it could be Val, well, it probably is :)



Unless you're at a wedding, I probably won't be wearing this dress, though :)

When our lives take wrong turns.

I don't think any of us need reminders about how bad drugs are. But a couple things that have happened recently have hit really close to home for me. And it has made me think. A lot. Makes me think about the people, the people's families who have been affected and then I think about myself and my own family, especially my children. It makes me really really hope and pray to God that I will do my best to do everything in my power to lead my children in the right direction so that they won't stray the wrong way. It's hard to put it into perspective sometimes that our little children grow up and that one day they will be making decisions on their own without us. I don't think any of us want to face the fact of them growing up. But they're going to.

It's easy when you are living in Small Town, USA, population 1,000, to feel sheltered from all the heartache in this world. To forget that really bad things happen. That really bad things could very well happen here and that we can't keep our eyes shut any longer because they are happening.

A month or so ago an acquaintance of mine from high school was killed. He was ran over in the tiny town that I grew up in. On a street with a 30 mph speed limit in a tiny town of 900 people. It can happen anywhere. Even in small farm town, USA.

From what I am told, Aaron was into drugs pretty bad. He went to rehab, got out and told his parents he was clean. He was "clean" for 2 weeks before this happened. Toxicology reported that Aaron did not have drugs or alcohol in his system. No one knows what happened. But his past leads everyone to believe that it may have had something to do with his once-being into drugs. And it's so sad. He was 34 and had a daughter.

Then, just this week, a friend of mine from high school . . . whom in 3rd grade sweetly gave me a locket, whom I took home almost every day after I got my driver's license in high school, whom was in all 4 years of art class with me, whom was in wrestling with my brother, whom I went on a date to dinner and the movies with to see Batman, who at our 10-yr reunion made me feel like a queen when he said "Valerie, you look hot!" . . . he killed his own mother.

It makes me cry. I ache for him. He was on drugs big time. He started using heavily in high school. A close girlfriend of mine who was around him graduation night told me she remembered seeing him use cocaine that night and she thought "Jason, dude, you're barely out of school and you're already an addict". I guess we all hoped he would graduate, go into the Marines (which he did) and reclaim himself. He obviously didn't. And that saddens my friends and I deeply.

Jason beat up his mother and stabbed her, killing her. It's something fresh in my mind that I just can't escape from and I think about for so many reasons. He was a friend whom I saw almost every day for 13 years. I think back to art class sitting next to him talking about crazy high school things. That adorable funny guy went on to become a murderer!? No one would have believed that. But it happened.

At our 10-year reunion he brought his daughter to our family event, and I think he was one of the most proud father's there. It was so so nice to see that. It was reassuring that maybe his life was finally heading in the right way. I had so much hope for him. This week my friends and I have realized the complete opposite. All hope is lost. And he probably had very little, if any, to begin with.

A lot of questions get wrapped up in my mind. A lot of "whys" and "hows". How in the world did he let drugs control him like that? Why? If it had gotten that bad, why weren't people helping him? Maybe they were? Maybe they didn't know how, especially if he was behaving this violently. (Violent? Not the Jason I knew.) And then it all makes me hate the drug dealers who sold him those drugs. Makes me wish so badly that the government could do more to control drugs in America. Makes me wish somehow we could bring back the moment and talk him out of what he was about to do.

This also makes me want to go wrap my arms around his sister. It was his sister that called the police. She knew her mother was in danger. Can you imagine calling the police on your brother? And now I think about her and what emotions she is dealing with. She lost her mother and her brother at the same time. And now she will see him sentenced for life. Right now they're saying between 30-60 years on 3 counts of first-degree murder. I can't imagine him living the rest of his life in prison, but he will. I also think about him going through withdrawal and the emotions he will go through as he detoxes. He will very soon realize that he killed his mother, one of his biggest supporters in the world. There will be severe punishment for him in just the detoxing and the realization of what he did. He will also very soon realize that he no longer has his daughter. He will very soon realize that he no longer has his life. He is just 32. Makes me sick. Sick.

And then I also think about his daughter. His daughter! She lost her daddy and mother. Another messed up life because of the ignorant selfish choices someone she loved made.

Oh this just tears at my heart. And then I think about my own children. Jason's mom never ever thought she would raise a son who would get heavily into drugs, not be able to escape from them and go on to kill her. What mother would ever dream this?

Makes me desperately want to work to do the right things for my children not to lead astray. But what is the right thing? Do you know? Do any of us know? I think this has got to be one of the scariest things to face as a parent. Making sure we do everything we possibly can to raise our children right, and then be able to let them go...

on jason . . .
http://herald-review.com/articles/2008/06/11/news/local/1033243.txt

on aaron . . .http://www.herald-review.com/articles/2008/06/13/news/local/1033284.txt

Super-Sized Blessings

I'm not going to be around much from here throughout the summer, I'm afraid, but I hope that won't deter you from visiting me when I do have a post or make you feel like I won't visit you anymore. Because that's just not true! :c)

I just started in on busy season #6 (I can't believe it's the 6th summer for me, wow!) with a wedding last Saturday. I've also got three wedding album orders in the works (Heather -- you know how long those take!) among other fabulous things. I hope you won't mind me sharing some exciting stuff.

Most of you know how far I have came from a graphic design student to working as a graphic designer and photography assistant for a couple years to starting my own business by the words I told myself the day I walked out: "I can do that and do it better". And while it's not been easy, it's definitely been a fun amazing challenge.

The first wedding I ever booked on my own just landed in my lap and I'm honestly not sure how it came about, but what I do know is that it was God's plan. That first wedding I shot all by myself was Beth and Rodrigo. I never knew the two of them before Beth called me. The day Beth and I met, we knew we were "meant" to be "together" as a bride and as a photographer. As I got to know her further, I felt it was just so simple to pour out my heart to her. She was the strongest Christian I had ever met at that point in my life, and I knew it was for more than just so I could be her photographer. She trusted me and I trusted her, and she prayed with me about my infertility and losses and she was one of my biggest cheerleaders through that time and I know one of my biggest prayer supporters.

Anyway, it amazes me as I look back to the VERY first wedding I booked, that it was HERS and how truly thankful I am because she trusted me. Without her trust, I'm not sure where I'd be. She didn't see but a handful of pictures of mine, but she knew she still wanted me, and I remember her even telling me that. I remember her saying "I don't know why, but I just know I want you!". Since then we've became great friends. I have had the chance to see her grow the gift of God inside of her, shoot her maternity pictures, and today I get invited to her son's birthday parties. I'm a part of her family, and she mine. It's heartwarming to know that I will (hopefully) forever be a part of her family's life, and now that she is pregnant with baby #2, I hope I will get to be a part of "her" life, too. (Yes, it's a girl!!)

My point is, I know I am doing what God intended me to do because of the people I have gained in my life as forever friends. Through Beth I met Corie (who I've mentioned tons and who has a blog who I have a link to here at my blog) and then Corie booked me for her wedding. We've stayed true friends since then and now I've been welcomed into her family's life as well. It's crazy, but a good crazy, how things spiral as they do and lead me in new directions meeting new people and most of the time, gaining life-long friends. Beth's sister-in-law, Tracy, is another. And Tracy is one of Corie's best friends. See what I mean?

Speaking of Corie, I am done proofing all her (hundreds of) pictures and some of them are online at flickr. A few are in at a "private" group which only invited guests can see. Those are the best ones, but, well there's a lot of skin and we know how there are some icky people in this world surfing the internet JUST for pictures like them. But you can still see many of the fully-clothed ones. Check them out RIGHT HERE.


Another positive story is this one. Late last summer I got called by a prospective client who had just heard about me, called me and booked me for a session. I have now photographed her children twice in the past 6 months. In that time she and I have gotten to know each other quite well. She has told me a few times how she feels blessed by me. But see, she's blessed me just the same or more. First of all, I've had the amazing chance to get to know her family and secondly, for her own business she recently asked me to help her in designing new marketing and advertising campaign. We've started with billboards. Nothing like starting big and going small, right? And well, those billboards should be up around town soon. TWO BILLBOARDS. I couldn't be more excited . . . or scared! Scared mostly because even though I hope it will lead me to more new things, I'm not sure I can handle it, but I pray those calls *will* come and that they won't overwhelm me too much so that I *can* handle it. I can't wait for bigger things!

Then a few days ago I got a call from my son's principal. He has asked me to start shooting some things at the school for the schools own marketing. Being a private school, the school thrives off of their advertising and of course a lot of "word of mouth". But to keep up with the other schools it has to have a great website and great brochures. So Friday I begin on this! I don't get paid and honestly, I don't care one bit. I would never ever accept money from them. There's nothing like doing things for people voluntarily, especially those who deserve it. Anything to make someone happy. I know by doing it, the rewards will be endless. I just love Mr. H's school and I am excited for it to just keep getting bigger and bigger.

Then Monday afternoon (see how good God is?!), as I was sitting waiting for Ashley's (Neil's sister) track meet, I start opening my mail. And inside a big envelope were some copies of a magazine. A magazine in which the main article's photographer was myself. ME! Talk about exciting. It's one thing to know it's probably happening, but another to actually SEE IT IN PRINT!! I am thrilled silly. And while I know I don't want to do weddings so much anymore, it does enable me to be really choosy with my weddings and hopefully expand in other ways, like with maternity and baby portraits --- two of my very favorite things ever! And here is the "contents" page. I'm on page 13 as you can see! (That's my picture!) Click here to see the magazine and my article!!!

So I know that was really long, and I hope you will forgive me. But I just can't go without apologizing for my lack of being and my lack of being in the near future. I'm busy. And if I spend as much time on my blogging as I wish I could, that means I am probably not focused as well on other areas of my life, like my children. I need my main focus to be my family and then my work. Blogging is now going to have to come near last. Just because it has to. Not because I want it to. But because it NEEDS to. If I give too much of myself here, I know I am not giving enough in other realms. And that's part of the reason why I'm a stay-at-home mommy. To live in these moments with them that won't be here much longer. Time is going by way too fast.

Thanks for letting me share my good news. Thank you for all the amazing support I get from my friends and family. It's you that keeps me going as a mother and as a photographer! :c)

One final thought, if you just go to my main stream at flickr, you will also see some personal pictures of my kiddos. Please stop by and leave me some comments. Toodles!

true love + bun in the oven = radiance, joy, fun

"You can select [friends] at random, write to one, dine with one, visit one, or take your problems to one. There is always at least one who will understand, inspire, and give you the lift you may need at the time." -- George Matthew Adams

I love that quote. Corie is my friend who inspires and makes me laugh. She is the sweetest girl ever who inspires me to be as kind-hearted and loving as possible because that's what she does.

I had the great opportunity to photograph her wedding a few years ago and I was overwhelmed in a good way with the love she and Keith had for each other. Sometimes you just know instinctively whether a marriage is going to last or not . . . whether they're in it for the right reasons. Because quite frankly, a lot of marriages are not for the right reasons. Corie and Keith were definitely in it for the right reasons. They were made for each other. They both put the other person first and complement each other perfectly as marriage and love should. You could just see it the way one glanced out of the corner of their eye at the other. Their eyes sparkled. It was so so so much fun to be the photographer who got to capture that with them. What an amazing couple.

Sunday I get to capture it all again but in a new way, and I absolutely can't wait. They are about to have their first baby and I get to photograph that love again plus the little one they created in Corie's beautiful belly. Isn't she the cutest ever?!

Since Corie and I are friends (Keith, too!) we're going to have such a fun time. I always do with people I already know well (a benefit to me shooting their weddings -- hint, hint, to future couples!). When I know people well in my shoots, I always want to try new things. Couples who know me know that I love to do new things. They are usually really comfortable with me and are open to my ideas and some even have ideas of their own. My favorite maternity couples as to date who were all for doing new fun things are on my website under "maternity".

I have a new (awesome fun clever -- yay me!) idea already in my head of something I've never tried before and never seen other photographers try. But I would love even more new and fun ideas. If you have any, please comment! What photographer doesn't love to try new things? (An idea inspiration: she is having a girl.)

As for my next digital photography 101 post, it's still in the works. I am waiting on a few things before I post, so I'm sorry about the delay in posting, which was suppose to be done over the weekend. Neil is in Atlanta, so it may take me a bit longer. We'll see. Maybe free time will magically appear?? :c)

p.s. Got the new cam and I'm loving it :c)

Home is Where the Heart Is

We had dinner with our good friends (a.k.a. old neighbors) last night at our favorite local place. I swear each time we go back to the area it gets harder and harder. It's suppose to get easier, right? I definitely thought it would be easier than last October. It wasn't.

We had a really great dinner. So much fun! And we went back to their house afterwards. That was hard. Especially since when we got out of the car, Noah sees our house and says "there's our old house. I miss our old house." I wanted to sob. But I held it in. I think Vic could tell I was having a hard time. I acted like it didn't bother me. (More margaritas, please!)

The hardest was getting in the car and leaving. I began crying when I got in the car and I bawled my eyes out the whole way home. That's 30 minutes straight. Yeah, my eyes and face were pretty swollen. I couldn't hold it back. I just miss it so much. And I think I've been holding it in for 8 months.

What do I miss? Not so much the house itself but I think our carefree moments. I did relish every second of it and I don't regret anything. But I miss our nightly walks and just the feeling of being outside not caring what anyone else thought of me. I love that when someone drove by, they always always waved. I loved that within a few months we knew everyone on our block. I didn't have true friends for a few years there, but everyone was always so friendly and would do anything for us. I haven't felt that here yet. I feel like a stranger still. I don't feel like I can sit in my front yard and feel at ease doing so. How long does it take? We've been here 8 months.

I just miss it so much. We're in this amazing little town with remarkable schools. But I would give that all back to go back to where we lived. I'm realizing what's most important. Home is definitely where the heart is. And my heart isn't here.

Pics from last summer . . . oh how I miss it. I loved sitting on the front step watching the kids play. Frankie just adored it too . . .

We're off to dinner with other friends. Hopefully a glass of wine will make me feel better. (Sigh . . .) Sorry to mope. It's just kinda hard.

It's time to . . . PARTY ON!

{ *** This is a "sticky" . . . brand NEW posts below!! One of them being about photography and my work space! *** }


Finally it's blog party time again at 5 Minutes for Mom!

Last year was my first year participating and it was one of the best times in my blogging life. I met so many wonderful blogging women, many of whom I became close friends with, and one of whom I MET IN REAL LIFE just this past October. So I really do consider it a party with other women . . . a way to connect with other stay-at-home work-from-home mommies . . . and a way to find friendships with these super-fabulous women. They're blessings in my life and I am quite excited to meet more of these amazing women starting TODAY! It's a blast of a time not to be missed.

Oh, and apparently I don't know all the rules! You are suppose to tell about your 3 favorite things you'd like to win, among others, so here they are in order:

#12 - $50 gift certificate to Happy Panda
#15 - $50 gift certificate to Kids Magical Wonder
#20 - $50 gift certificate to Paperlicious

I also adore the following prizes, too!
#34, #50, #70 (yum!), #76, #88, #100, #101, #103, #107, #114, #117, #126, #140, and #151.


Phew, okay, so about me!

I will be thirty-two (I don't like seeing the actual numbers!) in 8 days, I have been married 9 years to my amazing hubby (we've been together 15 years!), have two spectacular (miracle) children, Noah (almost 4-1/2) and and Maia (almost 2-1/2). We live in central Illinois. I love where we live because we are within 2-3 hours to Chicago, St. Louis AND Indianapolis so I easily can enjoy the city life while still living up the small-town life as well. I am a stay-at-home mommy, but also a work-at-home mommy. I have had my photography business for almost SIX years now. I am absolutely amazed by that. I never ever EVER thought I would be able to say that. It really does put a huge smile on my face when I think about it. (And I thank those who have helped me get here. I'm so so blessed!)

Let's see . . . I grew up on a farm (corn, beans, alfalfa) and loved every single minute of it. I miss it desperately at times. I have one brother (also amazing) who lives in Kansas City right now. I have a sister-in-law and brother-in-law who are our best friends. Michelle is the sister I never had. I have 4 very special precious nieces. We have a dog and 3 cats. I love love love animals. I also have great passion for photography (obviously, hehe), my friends, graphic design, gardening, traveling and God, of course. I love ketchup, the colors red & turquoise, coffee, dark chocolate, sushi, Oprah, fashion, interior design, coffee table books, old Disney movies, magazines, oh how the list can go on and on. These passions, including my children I will talk about more in the coming week. :c)

With that said, I thank you for coming to my blog and giving me the opportunity to share my life with you. I met a dozen amazing women last year (Erin ~ who I met in real life last October!, Amanda, Jen, to name a small few!) and hope to do the same this year. Getting to know mommies who blog is such a rewarding experience and it's became a huge part of my life.

I have four blogs (1, 2, 3, and this one) and hope you have the time to come visit me at all.

Now for my exciting part . . . I would like to offer a fun little contest called "Things I've Learned About Val". I have these 5 cards with 5 questions on them (click on them to read the questions easier) and some of you will already know a few of the answers, but most of you might not know any. But at the end of this blogging party week, I hope you will have answers to all of them and know a lot about me ~ enough for you to want to stay with me here :o)

So the actual contest . . . next Friday, the 14th, the first person who can email me the answers to all 25 questions will win a . . . drumroll . . . 8x10 canvas gallery-wrap of any personal photo you choose! It's approx a $100 value!!! These canvas-wraps are one (of the many fabulous) thing(s) I offer at VWC Photography.

So just for keeping up with me at my blog for 1 week, you can win one of these!!! (I love them - I have them all over my house!)

I need to have (correct, hehe) answers to me by noon on Friday (as I am leaving that evening for a [my!] birthday getaway). Please email them to me here ----> [ valeliz @ mac . com ] no later than noon (central standard time) Friday March 14th. I will tally the answers and have a winner for you by Friday at 5:00 pm! If I have more than 1 person who answers all 25 correctly, I will put the names in a hat and draw THE winner. Yayyyy!!! This will be sooooo fun! Answers to all 25 questions will be posted throughout my blog entries all throughout the week starting today!

* Oh, and one more thing, you have to have a blog to qualify to win, so when you email me, please attach your full name and name of your blog. Have fun, and thanks again for stopping by! Party on! :c)

The "Things I've Learned About Val" Quiz:



And while you are here, check out Kidazy.com. They are giving away a $100 Toys R Us gift card! I had never heard of Kidazy, but now after looking around, I have added it to my bloglines. I've found some great gift ideas and ideas for my own kiddos. I love ideas for new unique gifts. Check it out!! Hopefully one of us will win!

Wah wah wah . . . wee wee wee!

I cannot believe it's been over a week since I posted. I'm not going to sugar coat it, I've not been feeling too dandy.

Long story short, I've been experiencing some upper back pain located between two vertebrae up near my shoulder blades. After a week I went to the doctor a month ago back when Neil was in China. They gave me motrin and told me to come back if it didn't get better. I wasn't happy with that answer so I talked to my friend who works for a chiropractor, something I had never sought out before. She thought I needed to come in. I did and had x-rays taken. It turns out my spine is not only curved, my neck is extremely curved. You know how a banana curves? Well, that is how a person's neck is suppose to be in it's natural state, at a 45 degree angle. Mine is at a -2. Can you imagine trying to pull back that banana backwards? Yeeks. And that's my neck.

Another long story short, I've suffered unexplained headaches for over 10 years now. I've had CT scans, MRI's, seen 3 neurologists, etc., and no one ever found the cause. It appears the chiropractor did. With my neck beginning to curve the opposite way, my spinal column is also being pushed the opposite way putting lots and lots of pressure in that area probably attributing to my headaches. It was a HUGE blessing in disguise. When he told me this I started to cry because for the first time I had an answer and it was at a time when I wasn't even looking for one. I had totally given up on finding a cure for my headaches. Bad news was, he didn't find anything around those vertebrae causing the pain. I've now started seeing the doctor 3 times a week and I definitely notice change in my neck area. Unfortunately not my back. So last week I went back to my general doctor and he seemed a bit worried this time. He lined me up with a CT scan of my back. I had that done on Thursday. I still haven't gotten those results back yet. I was incredibly worried - so much so that I haven't been myself, I've been on the verge of panic attacks and experienced a really bad migrane (wah wah wah). But I think I've realized this is out my hands. Hopefully today or tomorrow I will find what is wrong. Heck, maybe it's nothing?! But hopefully if it is something, it's treatable. That is why I haven't been around. I haven't had the energy emotionally or mentally to think about my blog. So that's my "wah wah wah" part of this post. I'm done with the "Wah-ing" and ready to move on for the time being. (yay me.)

This is the "wee wee wee" part.

I got two super neat-o packages in the mail last week!!! One from a very dear friend who moved away to MS. Jen sent me the yummiest package of cookies, which she beautifully made herself, as a super sweet surprise.

I think I am the only person she knows other than her mom who looooooves anise cookies. What's anise? You know . . . black licorice?? Mmmmmmmm . . . I can smell it just talking about it. Those yummy-to-my-tummy treats were gone in just 3 days all by myself. Oh my goodness are they the best. Jen and I are two black licorice peas-in-a-pod. We also crave and adore Good-N-Plenty's. Anyone else?!

Then a couple days later I received another box. This time when I picked it up, I really questioned it. "What is this?!" Well, as soon as I opened it up and saw a card inside with the logo of the product on it, I knew just what it was and who it was from. It made my day sparkle. Can you guess?!?!
I then
took out
the paper
and
inside the box
were
these 6
very pretty . . . .

{make sure you click on the picture to see what it says because it's been custom-designed and it's just way too cool!}

. . . SHARPIES from my friend, Amanda, my BBBF who sent me these as my winning prize at her (amazingly fabulously awesome) blog for .. . drumroll . . . this is kinda embarrassing . . . being her most commenting commenter! (I'm going into hiding now.) Really, though, it's SUCH an honor!!! I've had such fun at her blog over the past year and all the while I've grown to really known her and we've became the greatest friends, hence the "BBBF" which means Best Blogging Buddies Forever. We have so much alike all the way down to our love for VW's and Converse. Thanks, a, I really love you, friend! (Here is her prize-giving post!)

Lastly, two exciting bits. One is, I signed up Noah for summer t-ball last week! He wasn't so excited at first, but now that's all he talks about. I played softball for 8 years in school and then 2 more years once out of college. I looooove baseball and hope he acquires a love of it just like his mommy. His grandparents absolutely cannot wait to come see him play. It's going to be such a fun summer. I can't wait.

And lastly, I spent a lot of time during my not-myself days last week in back pain putting up pictures on my VWC blog. So check 'em out if you have time . . . there are a lot. And also, I wasn't going to say anything yet, but I might as well. At the end of May I am going to Chicago for a weekend to do shoots with some of my Chicago clients and if there is anyone else interested, let me know! The appointments are filling up quickly. I'm just in awe of the response and feeling really really really excited about it. It's going to be so so much fun shooting in downtown Chicago. It'll be a dream come true for me.

Okay, enough of my notorious rambling. I've missed you all and I hope next time I'm here, it's to give a (positive) back update.

Goodbye, Jeff

Tonight is Jeff's visitation with the funeral tomorrow. I still cannot believe this. It makes you really think about life . . .about your significant other, family and friends . . . and makes you truly truly see how precious life is. Rachel said goodbye to her husband Sunday morning as he left for work. That night instead of him walking in the door, she got a knock on the door from a fellow employee of her husband's. He then took her to the hospital where she saw her husband for the last time . . . who had already passed away. It's just a huge huge wake-up call when something like this happens so close to home . . . to a friend. Here's a picture of Rachel and Jeff (2nd from left) at my 30th birthday party. With them in the picture is Vickie and Randy, our close friends. Please think of the Miller family tonight, especially Rachel and her boys, Christian and Scotty.

Prayers for a friend please.

I just found out from my friend, Vickie, that a mutual friend's husband was killed in a carbon monoxide poisoning at a corn plant at ADM on Sunday. He was 46 and has two high school aged boys. Jeff and Rachel were our neighbors in Decatur. Also a good friend of my dear friend, Jen, in MS. Please keep the boys and my friend, Rachel, in your prayers. It can't be easy.

Documenting the past week in pictures

I haven't been blogging much at all lately (posting or reading) and it's because on top of work stuff, I've never been so busy in my life. I'm thankful for not only the technology of cameras and preserving moments, but for my love for doing so.

One week ago Noah participated in his first ever Christmas program. He was a shepherd. I think every student in the school participated, which means pre-school through junior high. It was a really awesome experience for Noah and just as much of an awesome experience for his mommy, daddy and O'ma.

We were so very proud of him. I've never seen him appear so grown up. I've also never cried before for being this proud of him being so grown up. It was bittersweet and so hard to keep from crying. The last time I remember having that overwhelming feeling of love and joy for him was the moment I got to see and hold him for the first time when he was born.

Here is Noah's class right before the program. I took it upon myself to take a pre-school picture and a kindergarten picture. (hehe) :c) Do you see my Noah? He loves to observe people which is exactly what the camera catches him doing here.
(click on the pictures and you'll see them way bigger)

Then here he is during the program, singing. What really got me was when he spotted me on the floor taking pictures and that look he gave me just melted my heart. His eyes sparkled as he was watching me as though he was saying "mommy, look at me being a big boy. I love you so much, mommy". That's how I felt in that moment. Sorry for the cheesiness, but it's so true.

Afterwards, since O'ma is heading to Oklahoma for Christmas, we went out for ice cream and then she came over to give Noah and Maia a couple presents. Here they are unwrapping a few. Noah was mighty excited of his new undies!!


Then Friday and Saturday we got hammered with snow. Lots and lots of it. 9 inches to be exact. I loved it; it was so beautiful. So we stayed in all weekend playing games, decorating the house, working (well, I was working), and making food for Sunday.


Sunday we had our dear friends (Nikki and her family and Leann and her family) over for a Christmas dinner at our house. Neil was given an 8 lb ham as a gift from one of his customers, so we made that along with other yummy fixin's. It was really nice.

Vanessa is 10 months old and has very little hair. So Leann and I sneaked back into Maia's room and put her hair up into this little pony tail. Nikki almost cried when she saw it! Mommy and daughter . . . aren't they cute?!

Then Monday after I picked Noah up from school, I drove out to my favorite park in the world because I just knew it probably looked heavenly after the snowstorm. The main entrance was closed, so I drove around to a side entrance. I'm actually so glad it was closed because I saw some spectacular views back there. Here's just a couple out of many I hope to post later at flickr.



The rest of the week we went to the retirement party, I delivered a 30x40 sized canvas of a photo I took (see below), I goofed around with a reflection in an ornament on our Christmas tree (see below), and then today I had to cancel two appointments with clients because Maia and I are bundles of yucky-wucky-uckies now.

We both journeyed to the doctors today and we were both put on antibiotics for an ear infection (Maia) and a UTI infection (me) which has made both of us feel really miserable. I've been fighting this for a couple months with OTC things, so hopefully it will now be gone for good. I'm praying because they're no fun!! And right before Christmas . . . both of us . . . why of course!
(click on the picture . . . I dare ya! . . . then you'll see me in the Christmas bulb!)

I'm so so so thrilled, though, because last night I finished my last wedding album of the year (honestly, I didn't even think I'd get this 4th one done before Christmas). I delivered it today on the way to the doctors and I feel SUCH a huge huge weight off my shoulders . . . so much so I just want to run outside and scream it at the top of my lungs, but it's freezing outside and I am not feel all so swell, so I'll save that for another day I suppose :c) But but but but but! I can scream it here, right?!?!

I'M ALL THROUGH WITH ALBUMS AND ORDERS FOR THE YEAR ----- WOOOOO-HOOOOOOOO!!!!!!

5 days till Christmas! Now I can really be excited and happy. I can concentrate on those things that are really important now like my family, friends and remembering the birth of Jesus! :c)

Merry Christmas!

A proud mommy (me) who prepares for a big feast (here)

I took the kids to the dentist yesterday for a "Happy Visit". Noah had never been before (bad, mommy), but since our next door neighbor is a dentist, I figured we might as well begin now, especially while we'll be getting all our visits free. (Hehe. . . no pressure or anything, Doug!)

I didn't expect Noah would want to sit in the chair, but after about 30 minutes he did, and I didn't even have to force him. He chose to and he was so very proud of himself. I wanted to cry because *I* was sooo proud. He opened his mouth wide and let them count his teeth. Amazing for my shy little boy. I held back the proud tears, though, because I know I would have looked like such a wuss. Doug probaly would have never let me live that down, either.

Maia wanted nothing to do with it. Which surprised me because she's usually more the go-getter. At least she saw Noah get up there and have his teeth counted and knows now what happens. She also knows now that with each visit she'll get a cool toothbrush with sparklies or Piglet on it and a fun little toy. Always good to have a reward (incentive, bribe, whatever) awaiting.

I told Noah if he was a good boy for me yesterday that I'd give him a treat later in the day. I have to say, I have never seen such a perfect little prince in my life. He was perfection! Which of course rubs off on sis if she sees him behaving that way. She was really good as well. Ahhhhh. I love days like that.

We went to the grocery store and bought all that we need for Thanksgiving tomorrow. Spent probably 1-1/2 hours in there. As a treat Noah got a new Matchbox car and Mc Donald's. I'm still so very very proud of him and I told him that over and over. We also had his parent-teacher conference on Monday night (yes, already I know, he just turned 4) and he got great reviews. So this mommy has been quite an emotionally-proud mommy the past few days. What a great feeling.

So, Thanksgiving. Yeah, I'm having it. Originally I wasn't going to. We were going to go to mom's on Sunday and not do anything on Thanksgiving Day itself. But, now we're making a trip to Southern IL to do engagement photos of my cousin and his fiance. He's a firefighter, so his time off is very limited. We're going down on Saturday for that. So, with that last minute change, we also changed Thanksgiving dinner to tomorrow. And I (gulp), volunteered. What's wrong with me?

We have 20 people coming, maybe more. But for sure it's our next door neighbors (they have 4 kids under the age of 5), some other friends here in town who have 4 girls, my friend's parents, my parents, and Neil's mom may come, too. (The rest of my family will be in Oklahoma with Brad, Chel and Ella.)

Knowing that Doug (our neighbor) was going to a Thanksgiving feast at his neighbor's (me), the dental hygenists said to me yesterday "so you're the one having Thanksgiving?!" asking it in a you-must-be-crazy way. But, I've grown up only having large gatherings. Growing up we'd go to my grandparents and we'd have at least 20 people. Both my grandmothers did it, so I'm hoping I can, too. I just don't do turkey. Mom's doing that.

Here's what we're having:

smoked turkey
beef-n-noodles
homemade Stuffing (I cut the bread this morning!)
smashed potatoes
green bean casserole
rolls
gravy
sweet potato soufle (family recipe)
mac-n-cheese for the kiddos
homemade sweet cranberry salad
cranberry sauce
rice crispie squares
tons of cookies
2 pumpkin pies (homemade)
1 pecan pie (homemade)
and don't forget the wine!

It won't be formal or anything. We're not using china, but Chinet, and drinking out of plastic cups. Fancy, eh!? I think it will go well. I'm crossing my fingers, anyway. I'm not as worried about the food as I am worried about the chaos with the children. They're all very good kids. But I still hope I will survive the day. Wish me luck! Hope you all survive as well.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Erin Erin Erin, oh how I miss my Erin

Oh my goodness, we had such a great time. I loved every moment, well, except finding out I was going to miss my friend's water birth. But that's okay. It was NOT Erin's fault because I would have missed it anyhow since it went soooo fast. I just felt so bad that I wasn't there. (Congrats, Lindsay!!! Lindsay was the one with the orange belly at my party and who was dressed as a . . . oh, I'm not even sure of the right word for her! Her costume . . . so super and so NOT Lindsay at ALL! She won for funniest costume.)

Anyway, Erin, she is the sweetest, kindest, gentlest, funniest (SO FUNNY!!!), most loving, spunkiest, prettiest girl I have ever met. We are so alike (not that I am any of the above), it's not even funny. I know it's not a good thing to feel this way, but I do. I am so jealous of her in-real-life friends who get to see her and spend time with her whenever they want. How blessed you all are!! I am happy to say that she and I are just 14 hours apart which is not bad at all considering she is in Canada, and a really positive thing is, there are gizillions of places we could "meet in the middle" at. (Yay!)

I wish our time together had been longer, but I'm thankful it was as long as it was (5 days!). We were up till at least midnight every night and I'm sure that will continue as we blog & email till all hours of the night every day in the future.

I got to show her the farm I grew up on, the town of 900 people that I am from, the house Neil grew up in, the hill we use to go sledding down, the house I just moved from in D-town (my first time back, I couldn't even look at the house . . . it was really hard), our wonderfully historic neighborhood that we moved from, my favorite shopping block in town which houses my favorite restaurant, Robbie's. I was able to take her to mom's house, to Allerton park, to Champaign (where the University of Illinois is), to some of my favorite shopping places in Champaign, to Starbucks (why of course -- that is one of our differences -- she doesn't drink anything coffee, not even Fraps!), to my mother-in-laws, to our mall, and to one of our favorite restaurants in downtown Champaign (Radio Maria).

She helped me put our party together -- she worked her booty off, too! -- she met all my friends and really bonded with a few -- Johanna and Heather. She got to know my kids (who happen to be the SAME ages as hers!), she got to know Neil (who is very similar to Jer -- same height even!). And she got to know me better. (I hope that's a good thing.)

She got to see how disorganized I am. She got to see how emotional I can be. She even got to pat my non-tooshie toosh. (Yes, people, I know, I do NOT have a bum.) She got to see how much I love ketchup and how much I love coffee. She got to decorate my home with her amazing interior mind's eye.

We got to do so many of our favorite things TOGETHER. In person! Face-to-face!

When we first saw each other in the airport, we didn't hesitate in hugging. We gabbed the entire way to Illinois (I picked her up in Indiana.) We knew right away that we had a million things in common. (A post to come later.) I mean, I can't even tell you how fabulous it was to meet such a special blogging friend and spend TIME with her. Lots of it. To get to know someone like her. SUCH a blessing. She was just incredible.

When I talked to Neil on the way home, I asked him a question. I said "What did you think of Erin?". Neil responded, "She was just like you, only she talked a lot more". I thought that was so funny. She does like to talk, but I love that. That's part of what makes her Erin. She makes up for my lack-of. And I love Neil's answer because I take it that that means he could almost marry her ;c)

God sent me this wonderful woman to be my friend. . . for life. We already have plans to get together again. I just cannot explain how blessed I feel.


Miss you, friend, and thank you for everything.

Party Pictures!!!!!!

I know you are so anxious to see the pictures, so here they are. Follow this link to flickr . . . PICTURES!

(And I know how many look at my pictures at flickr so by golly, you better comment here!)

We had such a tremendously spectacular time . . . like, I don't think it could have been any better. We had about 50 guests . . . amazing costumes . . . super yummy food (and I say that not because I made much of it but because I had so much help making the other half of it) . . . everyone commented about how awesome it was (seriously, I'm not bragging, you could ask Erin who is sitting right next to me) and so many commented on our house which helped make me feel good and feel like what we've done on the house so far has paid off. Weather was perfect. We had straw bails outside, a fire pit, lots of string lights, pumpkins, and just lots of happy people. The costumes were amazing. If you check out the pictures you will see some of my favorites . . . Sgt Dangle, the floozy, the pregnant redneck, and the pregnant cheerleader. I haven't laughed so much in so long. You couldn't look at these people and not almost pee your pants. :c) There were some I didn't get caught on camera like Scooby-doo and the Harlem Globetrotter. When he walked in he said that the Rogain had worked a little too well (he had a 'fro). It was so so funny. I'm so mad I don't have a picture of that but they had to scadattle early. My friends who couldn't drink (Chel who was preggie, Lindsay who was preggie and Kristi who was nursing) even had a blast. Jamie had stayed after the birthday party to help us decorate and she did a kick-arse job. I thank her so much because she really did help me TONS. My other awesome helpers were Erin (why, of course!), Michelle, Heather, Leann, Nikki, and Leann's girls (oh, and Jamie's girls helped a bunch, too). I absolutely could not have done it without any of them. We decorated as spectacularly as it looks (not bragging, I swear) in less than 4 hours. Wow. I'm amazed.

Anyway, that is the gist of it. It was so great. And I wish even more had been here. You really did miss out, but I understand why those who couldn't come didn't. Maybe another year when little children aren't such a priority like boobies and diaper changes and bed times :) I was really lucky because O'ma took our kids for the night so it kinda sorta felt like college again. We even tried to stay up like we use to. 2:00 Erin and I were in bed, but I probably could have stayed up longer but man, I was worn out.

It rocked. Hope you can come in 5 years when we do it again ;)

Halloween party was spectacular!!!

Not until more people comment, will I show pictures from our very awesome, very hysterical party. So comment please so I can show you pictures because YOU ARE GOING TO WANT TO SEE THEM!! (Erin says "yeah, that's right! . . . we're bringing sexy back!")

Erin . . .

is REAL! And she is sitting right here next to me drinking wine and making food for the party tomorrow! She has great hanging picture skills and burying bones (not hers) and we've had an amazingly swell time so far. We are so much alike it's a little freaky. Our husbands are *exactly* alike. I'm so excited for the rest of the weekend :c) Alexis, I won't tell you what we're doing on Monday. ;c)


Jer, see, she's ok! :c)

Happy Birthday, Erin!

Happy Birthday to my friend, Erin, who turned 27 yesterday! (I'm a bit behind, Erin, as you know --- sorry!)

I hope I am her best birthday present ever. (I know, that sounds so egotistical!) But, you know why I say that?! Because she is flying HERE from CANADA to spend a weekend with ME one week from TODAY! Yippeeee! So she must like me a little bit?! I am so excited! We're going to have so much fun!

Have a great dinner tonight, Erin!! I know you like to extend your birthdays, so we'll celebrate all weekend long and we'll even sing to you at Noah and Maia's birthday party :):)

Happy Birthday, Friend!!

In honor of my 500th post . . .

. . . I honor some of the girls who have been supportive, loving, encouraging, funny, and very comment-ative (is that a word?!) to me here at my blog. They have just been very good friends and very loyal friends and so I give to them, some "Blog-a-licious Love" (as Amanda so greatly put it)!

First of all, can you believe this is my 500th post?!?! Should I be celebrating or is this just proof of all the time I waste (I mean, spend) here online?

Anyhow, a while back, Amanda tagged me. The deal is, when tagged you are suppose to show your blogging friends names in a creative way. Amanda did this with my name:Isn't it cute?!

So I kept putting this off and putting this off, knowing that I wanted to do it but just didn't put aside time to do it. But finally I decided today, while Maia was sleeping and Noah was watching Spongebob, that I would finally put my ideations to work.

Only three I made. All three go out to friends who I didn't know until I became a part of the blogging world. They have been three friends who have been so supportive over the months. All three, Amanda, Erin and Chel, indeed friends for life. I love them like sisters . . . is that weird?!?
(I so totally would have picked more, but I couldn't find a picture of them/you! This scavenger hunt for pictures was difficult, to say the least!)

So thanks, girls, for being there for me . . . for giving me some powerfully strong friendships that I never had prior to blogging. Thank you for your loyalty . . . thank you for loving me.




And I will admit, I also only did three because it took me so dang much time! That's what happens when you are so tedious (ahem, anal) about your work!

And Happy 500th post to me!